Creating a Mold Base using the Configurator

You can create and configure a Mold Base according to your needs.

See About Mold Bases for details about the tree, and limitations.

  1. Select Add > Content, then select Tooling Design Package > Mold Base to create a void product.
    1. Alternatively, open a product containing your Insert Unit or Multiple Layout Insert.
  2. From the Mold Structure section of the action bar, click Mold Base Configurator .
    A preview of the Mold Base is displayed.
    Notes:
    • It is initialized with the options of the last created Mold Base.
    • It always contains basic Plates, such as Core Plate, Cavity Plate, Setting Plate, Ejector Plates... They cannot be deleted.
  3. From the list, select either
    • Mold Base with gap for a Mold Base with Inserts, to limit the contact surface between the Core Plate and the Cavity Plate.
      • Cavity Gap is the distance between the bottom of the Cavity Plate and the parting plane.
      • Core Gap is the distance between the top of the Core Plate and the parting plane.
    • Mold Base with overlap for a Mold Base without Inserts, where you want to cut directly the Core Plate and the Cavity Plate. The overlap between the Core Plate and the Cavity Plate ensures the parting surface cuts the plates properly to produce the shape of the plastic part.
      • Cavity H Min is the distance between the top of the Cavity Plate and the parting plane.
      • Cavity H Total is the thickness of the Cavity Plate, used to select a plate reference.
      • Core H Min is the distance between the bottom of the Core Plate and the parting plane.
      • Core H Total is the thickness of the Core Plate, used to select a plate reference.
  4. Under Mold size specify the dimensions of all the plates (W and L) of the whole Mold Base. Alternatively, use the rulers.

    Tip: Place the pointer over a dimension to see its illustration.

  5. Select the check boxes of the Plates to insert in the Mold Base or clear the check box to remove one.

    Tip: Select Remember Selection in the Parameters to keep all the options you have selected for the next time.
    Notes:
    • As you select/remove Plates, they are added or removed from the preview. The dimensions proposed under Mold size change too. A graphic help is available for each.
    • Selecting Double Ejection System de-activates Three Plates and Stripper Plate, and vice versa.
    • Selecting/clearing Double Ejection System, Three Plates or Stripper Plate removes all the user Plates you had added.
    • A Stop Plate can only be inserted above a Setting Plate. You cannot insert a Plate above a Stop Plate.

      If there is at least an user Plate between the Setting Plate and the Riser Bars, you cannot add a Stop Plate.

      If there is a Stop Plate, you cannot insert an user plate under the Riser Bars, nor between the Setting Plate and the Riser Bars.

  6. Select a Plate in the 3D area and:
    • Dimension it with the rulers.
    • Use the context toolbar.
    • Use Page Down or Page Up to go from one plate to the previous or next one.

    Notes:
    • For a Cavity Plate, only Insert Above is available.
    • For a Core Plate, only Insert Below is available.

  7. Select a Riser Plate or a Setting Plate and Replace with Housing Plate .

    Note: Not available when editing an existing Mold Base.

    The selected plate is replaced with a Housing Plate.
  8. Click to revert to a Riser Plate or to revert to a Setting Plate.
  9. Select Three Plates to create a Mold Base with specific structure and kinematics.
    A mechanism representation is created, as well as three Injection Side products.
  10. Once this Three Plates Mold Base is created, click Play in the Compass to see an animation of the kinematics.